Children's Manuscripts by Dr. Sonna

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Mr. Spider's Webs

Children's Picture Book

700 words

Book Concept

This metaphor about the nature of art is designed to appeal to adults and
children alike. It has been published in the Roswell Literary Review and
Matters of Fine Art, regional publications with the subtitle, "A Fairy
Tale for the Child Within."

Synopsis

Everyday Mr. Spider builds a new kitchen in a corner of the little horse's
stall, and everyday the little horse shreds it but cannot convince him to do his
weaving elsewhere. When they finally work out a truce, the little horse
contemplates the webs, and really sees them for the first time.

Excerpt

"Mr. Spider, you will have to build your kitchen elsewhere," the little
horse says. "When I put my head outside the window of my stall, your web will
be ruined."
The spider sits motionless on the wall nearby. Perhaps he is sleeping, the
little horse thinks. Although he would like to sniff the sweetness of the
clover and nod at the barn boy making his rounds, he doesn't want to disturb the
web before the spider's breakfast has arrived. So he waits.

Children's Rhyming Picture Book

66 words

Book Concept

Synopsis

Excerpt

Bobby said he saw a buzzard
Bobby said he saw a bear
Bobby said he saw a blizzard
Mommy just saw clouds and air.

The Night the Stars Sizzled & Fizzled & Such

Children's rhyming picture book

1054 words

Book Concept

Can be produced as a stand-alone book; originally designed as Book III for a
trilogy entitled, Jimmy & Timmy and the Magic Box to help children comprehend
the magic of imagination.

Synopsis

Information about stars and meteors is contained in this fictional story
about two brothers whose imaginations get the best of them during a backyard
camp-out.

Excerpt

"Stars are gas," Jimmy said, "so hot that they glow.
They might look like they're winking, but it isn't so.
I'll tell you the secret of stars and their twinkles:
The air bends the light till the beams get some wrinkles."

The Day the Sky Dripped Till It Drizzled & Poured

Children's rhyming picture book

1300 words

Book Concept

Can be produced as a stand-alone book; designed as Book I for a trilogy
entitled, Jimmy & Timmy and the Magic Box to help children comprehend the magic
of imagination.

Synopsis

Young Jimmy gets more excitement than he bargained for when he plays with a
mysterious box willed to him by his grandmother. The magic of the box, it turns
out, is the imagination it inspires.

Excerpt

Jimmy looked in his box but saw nothing there.
He searched top side and inside, peered everywhere
But could not see a desert, with a sun bright above,
So he re-read the letter, from grandma with love.

The Especially Special Baby Book

Gift Book

18 pages

Book Concept

Designed as a computer-generated baby book that allows some text to be
inserted electronically. Could be revised for mass-production by insertion of
extra blanks so parents can manually fill in information.

Synopsis

In addition to providing space to record traditional information, space for
noting popular T.V. shows, fashion trends, sports heroes, movie stars, etc. make
the book a historical keepsake kids will treasure when they grow up.

The Day the Sun Sizzled & Blistered & Blazed

Children's rhyming picture book

1020 words

Book Concept

Can be produced as a stand-alone book; designed as Book II for a trilogy
entitled, Jimmy & Timmy and the Magic Box to help children comprehend the magic
of imagination.

Synopsis

When Timmy sneaks outside with his brother's magic box, he learns about the
wondrous power--and disappointing limits--of imagination. "Told with impeccable
meter and rhyme, the story is a delight. She's the new Dr. Seuss!" --Michelle
Potter, Columnist.

Excerpt

"I'm fine, Mom, don't worry. And the box is fine, too."
So he said, but his mom knew it just wasn't true.
He'd been roasted by sunbeams. He had such a scorch
He looked red as a radish. He felt like a torch.
He'd imagined it cold out, but no dream and no wish
Could unburn the sunburn. He'd been fried like a fish!

Galoshes & Sloshes

Children's rhyming picture book

975 words

Synopsis

Susan's day is going from bad to worse until she meets Elva, an elderly
homeless woman. Her wise words teach Susan how to cope.

Excerpt

First the pants that she wanted to wear were all wrinkly
When juice splashed her homework, the papers got crinkly.
Her bangs stuck out funny and wouldn't unkink
Her brother went ape over hairs in the sink.
She was starting to lose it from all of the strain
When she looked out and saw it had started to rain.
Who knew where her slicker had hidden itself?
Or why her umbrella was gone from the shelf?
"Here," her mom said, "just wear these galoshes
To keep your good shoes free from trickles and sloshes."

Jimmy's Answer to Cancer

Children's rhyming picture book

730 words

Book Concept

Originally I envisioned this as a self-help book for pediatric oncololgy
patients, with selected text to be illustrated by children suffering from
cancer. However, a number of school librarians have expressed an interest in it
to fill the need for materials for 1) healthy youngsters who are worried about
a stricken peer (1 out of every 500 children contract cancer), and 2) youngsters
enduring any kind of chronic or life-threatening illness.

Synopsis

When the doctor tells Jimmy he must not despair, Jimmy realizes he must find
a way to keep a positive attitude. Drawing pictures and hanging them in his
hospital room becomes a way to express his feelings, remain focus on his hopes
and dreams, and decorate his room.

Excerpt

Through the sweats and the fevers and spots on his skin
He kept up his courage and knew he could win.
When his whole body ached his mind floated free.
He smiled at his pictures and said, "Now I see!
Some days are better, some days are tough.
But I can keep going when the going gets rough."

Made Up Stuff that Isn't There

Children's rhyming picture book

227 words

Synopsis

Children are helped to master their fears via this poem showing how different
people experience the same event in different ways.

The Hummingbird's Secret

Children's picture book

810 words

Book Concept

Originally conceived of as a workbook counselors and therapist can use as a
vehicle for encouraging withdrawn and abused children to share their feelings
through drawing pictures to illustrate portions of the text. However, the text
lhas been revised for publication as a standard picture book.

Synopsis

When Jennifer responds to her brother's teasing by keeping her feelings to
herself, she becomes increasingly isolated and unhappy. A hummingbird teaches
her how to find a trustworthy confidante.

Excerpt

One day Jennifer sat by herself in a corner during recess. She fell
asleep on the grass, and a hummingbird flew into her dream.
"Why are you here alone, hmmm?" the hummingbird asked.
Jennifer didn't answer.
"Why won't you talk to me, hmmm?" it asked.
Just when the hummingbird was about to fly away, Jennifer called out, "Don't
go! I can't tell you why I won't talk to you. It's a secret!"

Funky Dresser

Children's rhyming picture book

235 words

Synopsis

The kids tease Ruth about her unconventional taste in clothes, but she
refuses to follow the fashion fads. In the end, she becomes the new
trend-setter.

Excerpt

Ruth liked comfy, stretched out suits
And worn out, scuffed-up army boots.
And tattered, battered floppy hats
That looked like they'd been chewed by bats.
They teased poor Ruth for her poor taste
But she said wardrobes were a waste.
"Any cloth can cloak a bod,
I'm just not into looking mod."

The Birthday Club

Children's Picture Book

660 words

Book Concept

Originally designed as a computer-generated book that allows for insertion of
personalized information; it can be produced for mass-publication by inserting
blanks for parents to hand-enter their child's name, home town, etc. It has
been revised for publication as a normal storybook, without personalization or
blanks.
By emulating the main characters, children learn to put on a no-cost birthday
party by themselves, replete with decorations, snacks, games, and prizes.

Synopsis

When parents don't have the time and money to organize a birthday party for
their child, the neighborhood youngsters join forces to create the best party
ever--and it doesn't cost a cent.

Excerpt

Mother shook her head sadly. "Parties are expensive and take a lot of
time to arrange. We'd better just have a family celebration this year."
"My friends will help. We'll do everything by ourselves."
"I'll bake a birthday cake," Mother said. "I wish I could do more."
"That's okay. Planning a party will be fun."